A traffic stop on Interstate 20 early November 21 led to the arrest of a Minden man after police reported finding a handgun equipped with an illegal device that converted it into a machine gun.
An officer working a STEP detail stopped a vehicle around 2:30 AM for traveling 87 mph in a 70-mph zone. Police said the officer smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and, during a pat-down, obtained consent to search the driver. A bag of marijuana was found in the driver’s pocket, according to the report.
With probable cause established, officers searched the vehicle and located two firearms: a Glock 23 Charlie fitted with a Glock switch — which law enforcement considers a machine gun — and an Anderson AM-15 rifle. Police reported that while the rifle itself was legal, it was confiscated because the person possessing it was not allowed to have a firearm due to an active indictment.
The driver, identified as Jacoby Rankin, 19, of Minden, was arrested on the machine gun charge. He also received a citation for speeding.
Police said the firearms will be test-fired and entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network as part of standard procedure to determine whether they have been used in other crimes.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.